Match Report

THE BUILDBASE F A VASE

2ND QUALIFYING ROUND

23/9/2017

GLASSHOUGHTON WELFARE 2 AFC DARWEN 4

Darwen progressed to the next round of the F A Vase with a win at Northern Counties League East side Glasshoughton Welfare at a cold TJs Arena on Saturday. Record appearance holder Karl Turner played his first competitive game of the season, and keeper Tom Scott made his debut for the first team.

Despite twice taking the lead in the first half with goals from Josh Bucknall and Josh Morley, Welfare were pegged back, and man of the match Mark McKay’s two second half strikes saw the Lancashire leave to contest the next round.

Welfare were on the back foot in the first few minutes with McKay heading against the bar and Welfare keeper Jordan Bradshaw got down well to his left to just about claim an effort with his finger tips. The Welfare keeper then made a great block with his feet to keep the scores level.

Welfare took the lead on 5 minutes when a great Morley free kick to the far post saw Josh Bucknall steal in and head past visiting keeper Thomas Scott into the far corner.

From the restart Morley broke down the left and he poked the ball past the onrushing Scott but his goal bound effort was cleared away.

Bucknall then headed another dangerous free kick over the bar, but at the other end the visitors levelled on 16 minutes when a corner was powerfully headed home by Kiel Lonsdale.

Darwen then came at Welfare again and Bradshaw made good blocks with his feet twice within a minute.

Welfare went ahead again on 28 minutes when a Morley corner was fumbled by Scott and the ball found its way into the net.

A few minutes later the keeper made amends when he leapt to tip a Ryan Poskitt drive over the bar. Conor Glavin then shot just wide after a great reverse pass from Morley.

The visitors levelled the scores just before the break when a lofted ball to the far post caused confusion in the home defence and Alex Ralph volleyed home from 6 yards via the post.

Half Time: Glasshoughton Welfare 2 AFC Darwen 2

As the second half opened Bradshaw once again saved well. pushing an effort for a corner. However 5 minutes into the half Darwen took the lead when McKay struck a shot home from 18 yards. The same player should have sewn the game up 2 minutes later when he was put in but miscued his shot wide.

Welfare came back and a strong Andy Horbury shot was blocked with the Welfare players appealing for handball.

As the game drifted to its conclusion, Welfare substitute Ash Scothern headed an effort wide and Darwen finally put the game beyond Welfare on 74 minutes when again, another high ball into the Welfare area was not dealt with and McKay smashed the ball home from the edge of the penalty area.

Full Time: Glasshoughton Welfare 2 AFC Darwen 4

(Bulk of this report courtesy of Garry Mollon from Glasshoughton Welfare)